Check protecting machine or the like



Sept 14, 1943. w. PAYNE 2,329,646

CHECK PROTECTING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed July 30, 19410l 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 a2 y /ZZZO ZO q l aa@ 5 VENR' F2912 BY j /a ATTORNEY.

Sept. 14, 1943.

w. B. PAYNE 2,329,646

.CHEQK PROTECTING MACHINE OR THE-LIKE Filed July 3,0, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 r-T 9-.1i

INVENT OR. f

Sept. 14, 1943. w. B. PAYNE 2,329,646

CHECK PROTECTING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed July 50; 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

INVENTOR.

u zltef" 5. P ne BY i@ Y has ATTORNEY. i

Sept. 14,I 1943. w. B. PAYNE CHECK PROTECTING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed July 50, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 n mlm. @NN

@www bbw sept 14, 1943.

W. B. PAYNE CHECK PROTECTING MACHINE 0R THE LIKE 7 Sheets-Shaw` 5 Filed July 30, 1940 www sept. 14,1943.

.W. B. PAYNE CHECK PROTECT-ING MAGHINE 0R THE LIKE Filed July 50, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheefl a ATTORNEY;

Sept. 14, 1943. w. B. PAYNE CHECK PROTECTING MACHINE OR THE LIKE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 30, 1940 NONI INVENT OR BY alter B. Peg/7e caATI'ORNEY.

Patented Sept. 14, 1943 UNITED STATES einem? oFF-ics CHECKPROTECT'ING MACHINE. 0R

LIKE f Walter .The

narration. July so,

B. Payne,A Rochester, Todd. Company, 1110,-, corporation of New York 1940, Serial 'rim N. Y.assignorlto Rochester, N. Y., a

no.Y 34ans 8 Claims. (Cl. lOl-20) This invention relates to a machine of the type commonly known 'in the art as a check Writing machine by which .an amount maybe printed'on a bank check or other instrument, and byl selec? ltive adjustment, crimping or scariiying another portion, such as the payee line, of an instrument. `It is anfobject of 'the invention to prov-ide an improved form and arrangement of parts by which the operating mechanism of the machine is retarded from en.- tering 'the printing or scarifying part of the cycle of operation unless the selected platen is properly Valigned with respect to its cooperating member to insure proper registration of the printing cr scarifying couples. l

Another object of the inveni-'on is the provision of a simple and novel means for selectively shifting a common platen carrier' with relation to its actuating means so as to accurately .posi-v tion either fthe printing or serrating platen for engagement with its respective cooperating member of an opera-ting couple. The arrangement further provides for movement of the -selected platen lnfa, direction substantially perpendicular to the face ber for parallel engagement Iof the faces of the member of the operating couple.

` Still another object of the invention is the provision of a machine so designed that various important parts of the machine are constructed as adjustable unitary assemblages, and which may be readily inserted and removed fromthe machine as a unit. v K

A further obc't is the provision of a machine which Iis improved in many'diiierent details'and respects, as will be apparent from the following description.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combination of parts, all vas will' be hereinafter" more fully Adescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end lof the Specification.

In the drawings;

Figs. 1 is `a plan view of a check imprinting ina-'chine constructed in accordance with a pre- .ferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 's is a similar view but disclosing the removable portion ci the casing displaced from the machine frame to 'allow access to and operation or" vf :ertain of the parts of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a vrlsgmentary' vertical section through the front of the machine with certain parts removed in :order to disclose the printing couple;

Fig. A5 is a vertical Sec-tion, through the mathe machine is capable of of its cooperating mem? chine taken'longitudinally ona ljine 5-15, of Fig. 4, showing the printingplaten in selected position;

Fig. 6V is a similarview taken of Fig. 4; Y

` Fig, '7 is a similar view taken "on the line 1-1 of Fig.' 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View showing the upper porti-on' of the casing of the machine removed and the ribbon spool retaining' vmeans latched in its non-holding position to permitremoval and insertion oi the front` supply ribbon spool in the machine frame; f

Fig. 9 isv a fragmentary Ve ticalsection tak-en substantially on the line il--Siof Fig. 4 showing the ribbon reversing mechanism operative to wind the ribbon on the rear spool;

Fig. l0 is a similar View but showing the rib.- bon reverse mechanism 4in an off-normal position assumed when the operating mechanism is in the forward' portion of its operating cycle;

Fig.. 11 i-s a fragmentary sectional view ofthe machine showing details. ofthe 'shiitable type member carrier and the `adllstable support therefor;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing thecylindrical opening inthe machine and the adjustable check gauge;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View similar to" Fig. 9 but'showing the ribbonreversing mechanism shifted and'operative to wind the ribbon on the front supply spool;

Fig. 14 is 'a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig.' 5, showing the platen member for scarifying 'the' payee line of a check in selected operative position.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference through the several views.

Referring now tothe drawings, there is illustrated a machine comprising twovertical 'main on the vline 6.--6

`frames lo extending along eachside of the mathe point of greatest strain. Tie-rodsLsuch as shown at i4 are disposed between the plates l0 and I3, and the screws I5 retainl the frames to,- gether to form a rigid construction. 1

- The frames lil areprovded with a check re'-` ceiving slot It intermediate the `opposite closedend is enlarged adjacent the printing lline 'of the machine to form a cylindrical the portions I1 and l i l2 thereof. The slot IE is open at one endend base cover 34.

opening I1 in the side frames I9. It is preferable to have the slot I5 tangentially enter the enlarged opening I1 so that the end of a sheet may readily enter the cylindrical opening. A tubular shell 23, Figs. 7 and 12, is arranged Within the opening I1 to assist in guiding the end of a sheet about the opening. The shell 23 terminates at the side frame II and does not extend into the circular portions of the supplemental frames I3.

In the use of the machine, a conventional size check or other instrument is inserted into the open end of the slot IS, and aligned with respect to the printing line by the adjustable stops I8, Figs. 1 and 2. However, when a larger sheet, such as a voucher check or letter of credit is to be imprinted, the stops I8 are displaced or shiftedY to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, out of the path of entry of the sheet. The larger sheets are then aligned and positioned by the adjustable radial stops I9 within the cylindrical opening I".

Referring to Figs. 2, 7, and 12, guide plates 22 are supported on the outside of each upper frame II by the screws and the cross rod 2I. 'The plates 22 are provided with offset circular portions 24 which are concentric with the opening I1 but smaller in diameter than the cylindrical shell 23. Therefore, because of the circular portions 24 being of va smaller diameter than the opening I1 or the shell 23, a slot-like opening 25 is formed between the parts to assist end of a sheet as it enters the enlarged opening of the check receiving slot. As a matter of fact, the arrangement results in slot 25 forming a continuation of the narrow check receiving slot I6. This provides that larger sheets may be accurately positioned into the machine with their ends against the stops I9 with the minimum of dill-lculty. i

A` yoke member 26 is rotatably supported on the axis or center of thecircular portion 24 of the plates22. Projecting ends I9 of the yokeZ form the sheet stops disposed in the path of the sheet as it enters the slot 25. An adjusting knob 21 on the left side of the machine, Fig. 12, is provided With a reduced shank 28 which passes through an opening in the circular portion 24.of the'guide plate 22 and a'spacing collar 29. The end of the shank 28 is fixed to the side portion of the'yoke 23. Therefore, it will be seen that upon manually turning the knob 21 the yoke 26 may Q be adjusted about its axis to set the stops I9 so as to position aA larger sheet or voucher check 'with relation to the printing line of the machine.

A knob 30 on the right side of the machine is provided with a reduced porti-on 3! which passes through an opening in the plate 24, and screws into the yoke 26. Therefore. upon tightening the knob 30, the yoke 2B and the stops I9 be secured in any adjusted position. The particular construction of the work positioning means here shown for illustrative purposes forms no part of the 'present invention per se, but comprises the subject matter of a copending divisional application, Serial No. 434,838, and to which cross reference -is made.

The upper side frames II andthe operating mechanism supported thereby are covered by a removable casing 33, extending from above the check receiving slot'IS at the front of the machine and having its rear portion abutting the The front portion of the base cover 34 serves as a shelf for the sheet inserted into the check receivingr slot IE. The removable cover 33 is held in position on the frames by the latch 35 `carried thereby and having a portion in guiding the.

.machine as shown in Fig. 3.

The machine is provided with a printing couple for imprinting a value upon a check or other instrument, as wellI as a crimping couple for serrating another portion of a check such as the payeeline.- By selective adjustment either the printing couple or the crimping couple may be rendered effective for operation when the operating handle 3 is actuated through its cycle of operation.

Theprinting couple includes the type assemblage or unitmade up of stationary and shiftable' printing type characters. The type assemblage is adapted to be bodily inserted or removedfrom the machine frame I0 as a unit so as to facilitate assembly and subsequent servicing of the machine. The type unit consists of type members and other parts either secured to,

or mounted on the cross shaft 39. As best shown in Fig. 4, the type shaft lcarries the fixed supports 4I, 41, and 55; The type segments 60 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 39 and adapted to be adjusted to position a predetermined character thereon at the printing line of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 9, the supports 4I and 41 are fastened to the shaft 39 by the setscrews 42. Both of these supports are recessed for the reception of type blocks 4I) and 48 bearing cts, dollars, or other suitable words or symbols. The type blocks and48 are held in the recesses of the supports by dowels 43 carried by the plates 44 which engage holes in the blocks. The screws 45 serve to fasten the plates 44 to the supports 4I and 41 and the dowels 45 in the other end of the plates 44 to prevent displacement of the plates 44 with relation tothe supports. It Will be seen that if it is desired to remove and replace either of the type blocks 49 and 48, it is only necessary to Withdraw the screw 45. The support 55, among other things, serves to vguide one end of the prefix type carrier |50 and to resist the pressure applied to the prefix type during printing, as will be hereinafter described.

A bracket member 5I is formed with parallel side. portions-Sla and 5Ib which arel mounted on the shaft y39. The member 5I Vis adjustably held by the screw 52 passing through an enlarged opening 52a of an extending portion 4Ia of the support 4I, and by the screw 53 passing through enlarged opening 53a of an extendingportion 55a of the support 55. Therefore, the bracket 5I supported on shaft 39 forms an integral part of the type unit and is removable therewith. This arrangement permits the type line of the type segments to be adjusted relatively to the type line of the type supports 4I', 41, and 55.

Each type segment is provided with type characters 6I representing numerical values from "0 to 9. While the "0 type of the segments for cents and units of dollars are normally at the printing'line, the segments for the rest of the denominational places are normally at blank position. The latter segments are cut away as at 60a to provide for the lateral shifting of the preii'xcharacter adjacent the digit Pof the highest order of a selected amount.

The type segments t!) are adjusted rby means of the finger pieces 62 carried by the stems 63 securely fastened to the type segments .at 64. Each segment 6U is provided with a plurality of notches E5 adapted to be engaged by a centering dog 66 mounted on the rod I'I having its ends carried by the side portions of the bracket 5|. Each `dog EG is under the tension of the spring 63 and serves to assist in centering a segment tothe proper position. Downwardly projecting portions of the bracket 5I are slottedfor reception of the dogs 55 and serve to prevent `lateral shifting of the dogs on the rod G1.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a formed member 'I0 is rigidly secured .to the upper part of the bracket 5I. wardly formed ears 'Il adapted to receive the screws 'I2 passing through slots 72u in the frames -II on each side of the machine.

The formed plate 'Ill iixed to the bracket 5! and secured to the lside-frames I I by the screws 'E2 is provided with a plurality of arcuate shaped iingers 'E5 extending toward the front of the machine. The fingers 'i5 are arranged between the stems 63 of the type segments. Theplate i@ also has a downwardly extending portion'o-n the side opposite the ngers l5. The downwardly extendingr portion comprises an arcuate part 'i4 land an offset portion i3, as best seen in Fig. 5. The portion T3 of the plate 'It carries the combshaped spring member 68.

The stems B3 of the type segments 'it are each provided with an arcuate dial plate 'It bearing i numerals corresponding to the type character 6I. The projecting iingers 'I5-and the surface 'M 0f the plate 'IIJ are arranged beneath the path of travel of the dial 'I5 movable with the type segments. While these portions of the plate 10 do not normally engage the dials 'I6 they serve to prevent a serious accidental displacement of the dials 1,6.

Referring to Figs. 1, 4:, and 5 the machine is provided with stationary dial plate It having a plurality of slots for the reception of the stems 53. Shown in Fig. l, the dial plate 'I8 is provided with digit characters corresponding to the type on the segment 5d. In the operationof the machine the finger pieces 52 and stems 63 are adjusted in alignment with the characters on the dial plate 'i8 to position ay predetermined setting of the type segments. The dial plate v'I8 is provided with a plurality of sightopenings "il through which the characters on the dial plate 'i5 are visible in the setting of the machine.

The dial plate l is suitably secured to a supporting plate 80 lying beneath the dial plate 'I8 and'suitably secured to the cross rails 35 and 19 carried bythe side frames II. The supporting plate 80 is provided with slots and sight openings similar to the dial plate 13. The slots in the plates 'i8 andii are enlarged adjacent the cross rail 36 to permit of clearance of the finger pieces 52 when the plates are removed from-the machine.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 9 the supports 4I, 41, and 55 iixed on the shaft 3Q are provided with rearwardly extending portions i la, 48a, and 58a. These rearwardly extending portions support the ribbon guard plate 193 which extends substantially the full width of the type unit.

It is desirable in a printing machine of the type embodied in this application to Aprovide for removal and insertion of the type assemblage and The plate l!) is provided with up- Aassociated parts as ani integral unit. Referring to Figs. '.4;6,:and 7 the side frames vI I are provided with Yaligned openings generallyindieated by the .reference numeral 85.r The mouths or the openin'gsl'ra'long the top edge of the frames II are Larranged 4at rone side 'of the vertical laxis through the printing line of the machine and taper downward at 'an angle to a point approximately in kalignment with the horizontal axis through the -center ofthe type shaft. 1 The `openings 85 are provided with a closed end portion having parallel sides adapted to receive the 'flattened endportions ofthe type sh-aft 39. Thev supplemental frames I3 are alsoslotted 'at 1 for the reception ff. of the reduced Tiattened ends of the type shaft 39.

TheA screws 88 i-n the opposite ends ofthe type shaft 8'9 serve to retainthe shaft in position in the slot85.

enlarged heads of the screws S8. The engagement of the heads of the screws 88 into the recesses of the supports 33 assist in preventing any1 displacement of thesihaft 39 in the horizontal portion Yof the slot 85.A

The arrangement ofthe openings 85 provides that the sideA frames II and I3 are adapted to resist any upward pressure placed on the type Yshaft 39 'during the operation of the platen mechanisrn.k Furthermore, it will be seen that upon removing the screws 88 from the ends of the type shaft 39, the ,printing type and other parts associated with the shaft 35 may rbe readily removed from the machine frame. Obviously, before the shaft :i5/carrying the printing unit may be moved through the openings 85 it will be necessary to also remove the -screws I2 engaging in the ears 'II'of the plate 1B; The screws 'I2 pass through slots or holes 12a in the side ,frames I l which permits of limited shifting VAof the typeunit about the axis-ofY the sha-ft. 39. This feature provides for adjusting the'type line vof the unit with respect to the printingline of the machine due to manufacn turingor other inaccuracies of the parts. The supports 4I, y4l, and 55 may be independently ad-` .justed on the shaft 3S 4byloosening the set screws 42 and'lllz.k l

Referring to Figs. 5, '7, and 14, the guide plate m3 is securedzto supports 41|, '41, and 55 carried on theshaft 39. This guide plate m3 serves to guide the'ribb'onfrom the supply spool H2 past the type `assemblage to the winding spool l I I. A cross 4rod 2I having its ends supported yin the side frames- -II carries the upper crimper member IBB. An extending portion it] of the crimper member IUS yhas its under surface grooved or otherwise roughened.rv for cooperation with corresponding grooves in the crimping platen 95. A light tension spring |03 tends to move the crimping member about cross rod 2| inthe direction of the guide-103. Itwillbe seen that the ribbon II@ is thteaded between the guide plate |03 and the crimper member I Gt. However, the tensio-n of the spring -I08 is not sufficient toV impair the step by stepadvance of the ribbon.4 The portion Il ofthe guide plate extends beneath the supports 41, l41;; and 55 and resists any pressure exerted upon `the crimping member i795 by a cooperative engagement of the platen 95..

A pla-ten carrier Sl arranged in the base section. of the machine has its opposite ends pivoted at -92 to blocks 93 mounted for sliding movement in the vertical slots 94 of the frames l2 as best shown` in-Fi'gs. 4, 5, and 14 of the drawings. The printing 'platen '90 and the serrating platen 95 are /adjustably supported in the. carrier 6I by. the

The :supplemental frames I3 are rej -cessed as shown. in Fig; 4 for the reception of the screws 96 which pass through adjustablebushings |92. f The bosses 9'I of the holder 9| are adapted to receive the ends of the platen arms 98 arranged adjacent the side frames I2. The platen arms 99 are mounted on the platen shaft |21 and connected together by the cross member 99. The pins |99 carried by the bosses 91 of the platen carrier 9| engage the slots |9| formed in the ends of the platen arms 98 so that any movement of the platen arm is transferredto the car- 1181'.

The slots I9| of the platen arms 98 are formed with recess portions |9Ia at its ends for the reception of pin |99 in the adjustment of the carrier 9| on the platen arm 98 and serve to assist .l

- the arrangement provides that upon movement of the platen arm 98, the carrier rocks slightly about its pivot 92, and the selectedvplaten is moved substantially perpendicular to the face of its cooperating member. As seen in Fig. 5, a platen 99 is adjusted to operative position and upon actuation of the platen arm 98 it will be moved substantially perpendicular to the type faces at the printing line of the machine. In Fig. 14 the platen 95 is shown adjusted to operative position and in this instance upon rocking the platen Varm 98 it will be moved substantially perpendicular to the grooved face of the crimping member |96.

In prior machines due to the location of the pivotal center of the platen levers the direction of the motion of the platen at the point of contact with the type face has not been perpendicular to the type face but rather at an angle thereto. In such machines the members of an operating couple did not move into cooperative engagement with the faces thereof in parallel relation with the result that the side farthest from the point of pivot received a lighter impression. It has also been found'that the angular engagement of the members of an operating couple tend to displace a sheet from the position initially set in the machine, that is, the engagement and disengagement of the operating couple at an angle tends to move the sheet away from the setting stops of the machine. This shifting of the sheet is extremely detrimental in machines adapted to perform subsequent operations on the same sheet, asV any movement causes the next impression to be displaced on the sheet. For example, with the present machine, if the amount was first printed on a check causing the sheet to shift slightly, the next operation of the payee crimper would not be in proper registration with the line on the check provided.

for the reception of the crimped area, and vice versa.

With my improved'platen mechanism Wherein the platens move into and out of engagement with their cooperating members in a path substantially perpendicular tothe faces thereof, there is no tendency for the sheet to be shifted. Furthermore, the perpendicular movement of the operating member causes the faces of the operating couple to come together in substantially parallel relation with the resultant even imprint. The particular construction of the impression mechanism and related mechanisms here shown for illustrative purposes, forms no part of the present invention per se, but comprises lthe subject matter of a copending divisional application, Serial No. 475,884, and to which cross reference is made.

The platen carrier 9| is shifted from the printing position shown in Fig. 5 to the crimping position viewed in Fig. 14 by actua-tion of the selector knob H5. The selector knob; |I5 is supported on the left side of the base by a slidable lever IIB, projecting through the base 34 and having one end resting on the iange III of the base frame I2.Y The opposite end of the lever IIB `carries a, stud IIS which projects through a slot H9 in the frame I2. The stud ||8 has its opposite end connected to a link |29 lying adjacent the inside wall of the frame I2 on the left side of the machine, Figs. 4 and 6. One end ofthe linkA |29 isfpivoted to the platen carrier stud |99, and the opposite end is pivoted at |2| to a yoke member |22 carried by the cross rod I4 having its ends mounted in the base frames I2. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a link |24, similar to the link |29, is connected to the yoke |22 and the platen stud |99 on the right side of the machine. A spring |25 tends to retain the yoke |22 and the parts connected therewith in the forward position shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

' When'it is desired to shift the platen carrier 9| to displace the printing platen 99 and position the crimping platen 93 for cooperative engagement with the ycrimping member |96, the selecting part ||5 is shifted rearward of the machine against the tension of spring |25. The rearward movement of the knob I I5 shifts the lever |I6 connected to link |29 Whi-ch rocks the yoke |22 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 14. The shifting of the yoke |22 moves the links |29 and |24 rearward of the machine so as to move the platen studs |99 from the forward end of the arcuate slot I 9| of the platen arm to the rear end of the slot. In shifting the stud |99 the platen carrier 9| is shifted about its pivot 92 to position the crimping platen 93 for cooperative engagement with the portion |91 of the upper member |96 of the crimping couple. The platen arms 98 mounted on shaft |27 extend rearwardly and carry a rod |28 retained in position by the side frames I9.

The main shaft |29 is supported by the side frames and the supplemental frames I3, and the operating handle |39 is fixed to one end projecting beyond the casing'of the machine. A pair of toggle levers ISI on opposite sides of the machine are pinned to shaft |29 and carry Studs |32, which pivotally support links |33. The opposite ends of the links |33 have elongated slots |34 which are engaged by the rod |28 carried by the platen arms 98.

It will be seen that upon rocking the main shaft |29 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, or in a. counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, the rst part of the movement will not be conveyed to the platen arms 98 because of the elongated slots |34 formed in the links |33. However, upon the `continued rotation of the shaft |29, bythe operating handle |39, the end of the slot |34 will be reached and the links |33 will cause the platen arms 98 to rock `about the shaft |21 to move the selected platen upward and into engagement with its cooperating mem-ber. The spring |35, having one end attached to the cross member 99 and its other end to the tie-rod I4, serves to rock the platen arms 98 to separate the printing couple prefix type block ,5o.

when the main shaft |29 is returned tol its. initial position.

A full stroke mechanism is provided to assure complete operation of the platen means. This mechanism includes the toothed ratchet plate 55 rigid on the shaft |29 and adapted to be engaged by the dog 51.. This dog 51 is pivotally supported on the plate S carried by the shaft |29 and the cross'rod |4, Fig. 5. The full stroke mechanism lbecornes-eiiective at approximately the same time as the link |33 starts to move the rod |28 and the platen arms 9&3. Therefore, it will be seen that once the actuation of the platen means is initiated a fulland complete movement must be given same which assures uniform action. ofy the printing or crimping couples. k y

A .cam .|35 supported on` the main share. |29 has. an extending portion engaged by the stud |32 and therefore arranged to be rocked with the toggle member |32.. The cam |35 is adapted to .engage a lroller |31 carried. by .thelever .|38 p-ivoted intermediate its. ends at .|39 to the frame portion |1| on the left side 'of the machine as seen .in Fig. 6. The lever |38. extends beyond its pivot .toward the front of. the machine 4and is provided with the biiurcate end L40 which is engaged by a projecting portion |4-1| .of an arm |42 pivoted at |43 to a supporting plate |44 .secured at |45 to the supporting member 5.5, Fig. 4.- The arm |42 carries an arm |46 pivoted thereto at lH11 and a grasshopper. spring .|418 tends to retain the pivoted. army |46 in enga-gement with an upwardly formed lug |143 of the lever M2. shaft |29 is moved in la counterclockwise direction as Viewed in Fig. 6, the cam |i3| will engage the roller |31 to rockthe .arm .|38 Iin a counterclockwise direction so that the .bifurcate end |40 will .move in a .downward path.A Referring to` Fig. 4:, when the end |40 ci the lever 38 isk moved Idownwardit will, through its connection with the arm |42, normally move the' lever |45' in a .direction toward the right side of the .machine. However, if the movement of the lever |45 is retarded, the spring the.' lever |46 will rock about lthe pivot M1 and thereby permit the arm |42 to continue'in its movement conveyer thereto by the action of .the cam v|136 through the arm |38.

The downwardly projecting portion of the lever |45 as best seen in lFigs. 4, 6, and l1 engages in a notch formed in the `carrie-r |50 vfor the `prefixl character 55. The carrier |550, Figs. 4A and 1l, is supported for sliding movement on the rod- |51 supported at one end 'by :the upper side frame This threaded end of the rod |55 passes through the side framesl and is held in place by the nut |52. The opposite -end 4of the rod |51) is free and passes throughl an opening |53 provided in the lower portion of the side frame on theleit side of the machine best seen in Figs. 6 andll. The extending portion |54 of the carrier |55 is iormed'upwardly at |55 to which is suitably `secured' the shiftable of the lcarrier projects upwardly beyond the prex block and is formed at right angles as indicated bythe numeral |51.. The offset por-k tion |51 is adapted to ridev on the surface |53 of the support 55 as the carrier |513 is `shifted laterally by theV action oi' the arm |46. 'This arrangement also prohibits .the carrier supported on rod |5| from rocking aboutits support.

In the operation of the machine, the desired .It will be seen that as the operatingl |48 will yield .so that The formed portion |55v type characters 6|! are selectively positioned at the printing or amount line oi the machine. The prex character 50, bearing the word Exactly or any Vother suitable symbol, is adaptedupon action o'i the operating handle |311, through'the cam |36. to be shifted adjacent the highest .denominational digit set at the printing line. Therefore, the yielding connection,.thr.ough the lever |45 and the arm |42, permits continued movement oi the arm |14?v even though the carrier |53 is. retarded in itsv lateral movement due tothe abutment of the preiixv 50 with the type segment of the highest .order sety at the printing line.

it is essential that the shifta'ble prefix .block 5.@ be. retained in proper alignment with the printing line of the machine, and the .other yprinting. vcharacter .of the machine. Inasmuch as the type block 50 is shiftably supported independently at |50 to the crossumember.

of the other type of the .printingl unit, it has been found. advantageous and'v desirable to.- provide means for adjusting its path' oi. travel. This mea-ns includes. an additional support Zfor the guide rcd|5| comprising a. bracket A|l5i|` secured H41, Figs. 5 and 1l. The. bracket |59 has a portion trwhich supports the guide rod. |51. beyond its mounting the side frame. The yportion li. of the bracket is reduced in .cross-section so as to. provi-de a weakened portion which permits jacking A.the mounting. .|53 to adjust the free end of the gui-de rod :|.5.|, so as to vary thev .path of' the prei-lx carrier and the .type bloc-k 50 with relation to the printing line of the machine. f

In View .oli .the various nses which. are made of an imprinting machine of the character ci the present invention, it is `desirous toA provide -for readily removing the prefix character Eil and substituting .a character bearing a different sign, word, er. symbol. Therefore, with the present construction, the carrier unit |501w hich supports the prex .character .'55 may be readily wit-hdrawn through the opening :|553 .the side frame of the machine. In order =to remove the carrier A|55.) is. necessary to displace the lever |46 from the notch |64 provided in the formed portion of the carri-er, Fig. il. The lever |46 is arranged so that it Amay be flexed to an. extent that it may be removed from thenotch |164 as shown by the dotted line position 'in Fig. .6. This is'accomp-l'ishedby' an operator inserting a nger .through the slot 85' provided in theside frame and depressing downward on the lever |45. ,A spring |55, having vone .end lconnected Ito the lever ,t3-: and .the .opposite end ito a stud i on :the .side frame |..|,.tends to rock .thelever .|38 ina countercloc-kwise direction when `the cam. .L35 monesout of engagement with .the roller L31..

As ,previously explained, .the platens 99 and "35 are 4slfnkrited in selectively :adjnsting the mechanism'ifor printing the amount or scarifying the payeelline.. Therefore, in order -toassu-re proper actuation idf fthe operating mechanism and preventfdamage to the parts, it is essentialv .to provide a control .means .operatively .connected to. .the selecting lever .I |15.. This control vmeans `.includes ailinlc :lit pivoted at .|rG8. itoy the yoke- |22, ias best '|"2-9. The tapered `projection 1| 12 formed. on Ithe plate |-1'| serves'as .a stop or centering part depending upon the relative positions to which the platen selecting means may be adjusted.

Normally the parts are in the position shown in Figs. and 6, that is, with the printing platen 90 in alignment with the printing line of the j y machine. In actuating the machine, the rod |23 connecting the platen arms 98 to the operating sh'aft |29, is adapted to pass along the outer side of the projecting part |12 so that the machine may be actuated through a normal cycle of operation. However, in the event the lever ||5 is actuated to position the serrating platen 95 for cooperative engagement with the member |66, the parts are initially in the position shown in Fig. 14. Under these conditions, the rod |28 will enter and engage the closed end |13 of the slot formed in the control plate 1|. Upon engagement of the rod |28 with the end of the slot |13, the operating handle |30 will be retarded from any further movement to prevent excess strain on the parts of the machine and definitely indicate to the operator that the crimping operation of the payee line has been completed, Obviously the control plate |1| when engaged by the rod |28 prohibits movement of the selector H5.

In the event the selector ||5 has not been moved to accurately adjust the desired platen in alignment with its respective cooperating members, the rod |28 will engage the projection |12 of the control plate to either automatically align the partially selected platen or prohibit actuation of the operating mechanism. If the selector is in an intermediate position, the rod |28 will engage the end of the projection |12 and thereby prevent continued action of the link |33 connected to the main shaft |29 carrying the operating handle |30. This feature prevents an operator from spoiling checks or other instruments because of improper setting of the operating parts and eliminates the possibility of damaging the machine.

In the course of operation of the machine, the ribbon ||0 is automatically fed step by step between the members of the printing couple, from one spool to another. When the ribbon is entirely unwound from the supply spool 2 the i reversing mechanism is automatically shifted to i reverse the feed of the ribbon. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, the supply spool is shown at ||2 and the receiving spool at Ill. In these Figs. of the drawings the parts are shown in the position for winding the ribbon upon the receiving spool in the manner to be hereinafter described.

The main shaft |29 carries a plate |14 connected by studs |32 and |15 to the toggle lever |3|, on the right side of the machine, for movement upon rotation of the shaft |29. The plate |14 carries a .stud |16 adapted to engage the notch |11 in the cam-like surface |18 of the member |19 pivotedv at |80 to the side frame A pin |8| on the member |19 engages the bifurcate end |82 of the rocker arm |63 pivoted on the stud |84 carried by the side frame Therefore, when the operating shaft |29 is rocked in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, upon the forward stroke of the operating handle, the pin |16 will temporarily engage the notch 11 to quickly rock the member |19 about its pivot |80. Upon continued clockwise movement of the plate |14, the stud |16 will pass from the notch |11 and move along the cam surface |18 of the member |19. As the member |19 is rocked, the surface 18 is moved to a point wherein it is concentric with the path of travel of the pin |16. Therefore, after its initial movement, the member |19 will be held in its rocked position during the continued advance of the pin |16 due to the engagement of the pin |16 to the cam surface |18. The intermittent movement of the member |19 is conveyed to the rocker arm |83 upon each actuation of the main shaft |29 by the operating handle through the stud |8|.

A T-shaped vibrator lever is also pivoted on the stud `|84 carried by the side frame Il, Fig. 9, and operatively connected to the rocker arm |83 by a roller arm |86. An arm |86 is pivoted at |81 to the lever |85 and carries a roller |88 adapted to engage either of the notches |89 or |90 of the rocker arm |83. The spring |9| tends to hold the roller |88 in the proper notch of the rocker arm |83 dependent upon the direction of feed of the ribbon as to be hereinafter set forth.

As seen in Fig. 9, the ratchet dog |92 is pivoted at |93 to the lever |85 and is adapted to engage the ratchet member |95 xed on the side of the rear ribbon spool that is, the dog engages the member |95 when the ribbon is wound on the spool The tension of the spring |94 tends to move the dog about its pivot and into the path of the ratchet member |95, A dog |96 is pivoted at |91 to theframe Il, and the spring |98 tends to move the dog in a counterclockwise direction and into engagement with the ratchet member |95. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9, the dog |96 prevents any retrograde movement of the ratchet member |95, that is, when the ribbon is being wound upon spool It will now be seen that when the arm |85 is rocked about its-pivot |84 and the roller |88 rests in the notch |89, the dog |92 will be correspondingly rocked to move the ratchet dog 92 over a predetermined number of teeth of the ratchet member |95.

In the course of the return stroke of the operating handle, the pin |16 will engage and move the plate |19 rapidly in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot |80. The rapid movement of the plate |19 will rotate the rocker arm |83 and the lever |85 in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the ratchet dog |92 engaged with the ratchet member |95 will rotate the spool and be effective to wind a predetermined length of ribbon ||0 thereon and from the front spool ||2.

The ribbon spool is provided at its opposite ends with studs |99 suitably supported in the side frame As shown in Figs, 9 and l0,4

the leaf` springs 200 are fastened by rivets 20| to the side frame and have an opposite portion 202 projecting through openings 203 in the side frames The portions 202 of the springs 290 engage the sides of the spool and provide sufficient tension on the spool to prevent free rotation thereof when not under the control of the dogs |92 and |96.

When the lever |85 is shifted with relation to the rocker arm |83 to reverse the direction of feed, the cam portion 204 of the lever |85fengages an extension 205 of the dog |96. The cam portion 204 serves to hold the dog |96 from engagement with the ratchet |95 while the ribbon is being fed from the rear spool to spool ||2, Therefore, except for the tension of the springs 202, the spool will be free to rotate for withdrawing the ribbon therefrom and advancing it to spool 2.

As in the conventional practice with ribbon inked machines, the ribbon Il() is intermittently' wound step by step on the spool III and passed through the machine until the supply is exhausted from the spool I I2. Upon exhaustion of the ribbon from the spool II2 the repeated action of the rocker arm |83, builds up suiiicient tension in the ribbon so that the spring .I3I yields to permit the roller |38 to shift from the notch |89 to the adjacent notch |93 of the rocker arm |33, that is, from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings; When the roller |88V rests in the. notch |93, the lever |35 is shifted with relation to the rocker arm |33 so that the ratchet dog |92 is no longer effective to rotate the spool III. The shifting of the roller |83 is eective to position v the parts so that the direction of feed is reversed,

that is, the mechanism is then eiective to wind the ribbon upon the iront supply spool I I2.

The parts for actuating the ribbon spool Il2 are normally ineffective when the ribbon reverse mechanism is operative to wind the ribbon spool III Referring to Figs. '1, 9, and 10, a supplemental supporting p-late 206 secured to the side frame II by the screw 231 carries a stud 253 adapted to fit in a recess 209 formed in the side frame I I at one side of the opening 35. The stud 238 pivotally supports vthe lever 210 which is operatively connected to the lever |35 by a linky 2| I. The link 2 II is pivoted to rthe lever 2I0 at 2I2 and to the lever |35 by a stud 213 which is carried by the lever |35 and projects through an opening 214 in the side frame II. It will be seen that the mounting for the lever 2li) is removably supported on the side frame the lever 2I0 and the link 2I2 to be displaced an-d permit free access to the aligned openings 85 of the side frames II upon inserting the typel The lever 2|:Il may unit as previously described. be displaced by withdrawing the screw 201 and sliding the stud 2F38 from the slot 209 inthe frame. The lever 2 Hl may be swung on the link 2II about the pivot 23 to a convenient position outside and away from opening 35. This arrangement provides readily de'tachable means for mounting Athe lever 2|?! of the ribbon reversing mechanism.

The actuating,t dogs for the ribbon spool |12 II so as to allow function substantially similar to those previous.-

in connection with the actuation of the spool lil. The ratchet dog 2I5 pivoted at 2I8 to the lever 2 i3 is adapted to cooperate with the teeth of the ratchet member 2I1 when the ribbon reversing mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 13 for winding the ribbon on the spool IIZ. The dog Zit pivoted at 2|@ servesv to prevent any retrograde movement of the ribbon spool 2l3 during the feeding operation. Referring to Fig. 9 it will be seen that when the ribbon reversing mechanism is eiective to rotate the spool I i l the cam portion 22D of the lever 2 I D engages the projecting portion 221 2|?, to hold the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet member 2I'I so that the rotation of the spool 2I2 is not retarded. The leaf spring y2,22 engages the side flange of the ribbon spool II2 ly described of the leverv to provide friction or tension thereon adequate y to retard the entirely free rotation of the spool when the dogs 2I5 and 2ER are disengaged therefrom.

The iront supply spool I|2 is provided with trunnions 223 which are removably vsupported in the aligned openings 224 in the front of the side frames I Displaceable latch means is provided for retaining thetrunnions223 in position. the:y

closed end ot the slots '224. v.T ratches 223are pivotedat 2213 on .opplositesides of the frames II. The latches are provided with nose portions 221 adapted to pass over the trunnions. and retain them in the closed end of the slotsY 224, as shown in Fig-'1. Holding members 228 are pivoted at 223 to the latches 225. The holding` members 22B are adapted' to retain the. latches 2-25 either in the-trunnion holding position shown in Fig. 7, or in the displacedposition shown in Fig. 8. The member 228 is. provided with an extending portion 233` which is. adapted to rest on the enu largedheadoi the screws 23| whichlserve to support the A,cross rail33a. It will vbe seen from Fig. 7 that when'the removable cover 33 is locked in position `on the. machinek frame the portion designated by numeral 232 'prevents the holding member 228 .from being rocked about its pivot 223. Thecoyer 33.- prevents any displacement of the hol-.ding member 2.28 and in turn is adapted to retain the.= latch members 225 in position to hold the spool. trunnio'ns 223 in the closed end of the slots 224.5 Vof the frames II.

In the event it is. desired to remove or replace the supply spool i |12, the cover latch 35 is released and the, cover 33. is. slipped from the machine frame; As. shown vin Fig. 8 after the cover 33 isxremoved, the holding members 228 may be rocked k.about the pivot 229 randthe latches 225 raised and latchedv in .the position shown. Thetrunnions223. of Ythe ribbon spool I-I2 may then be slipped `freely* from the'openings 224i of the sid-e frames, tov remove the spool and replace a fresh suppl-y of ribbon. ,In 'order to maintain the latch members ,225 out of the path of the trundropped over the studs 23| to retain the latch members ,in the position shown in Fig. 8. It will-be obvious that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8, the cover 33 cannot be properly positioned and latched on the machine frame. This arrangement assures that theV ribbon supply spool I-I2 must be properly latched in position before the cover is replaced. Therefore,v unless the cover is properly latched on the machine an operator will know that the machine is not conditioned for operation.

'I l'he cover for the. base section of the machme is made up of the upper case section 234 and the lower case section 235, which are adapted to -be formed by the same tools inasmuch as they are of the same size and general contour. However, the base section 235 is subsequently formed with the bosses 236` for the reception of screws which secure the, base section 235, the rubber feet 231, and the skeleton frame 23B to offset ears 239 of the base portion I2 of the machlne. The upper section 234 may be spot welded or otherwise fastened to the skeleton frame 238. The section 234 is blanked out at 240 approxinuatelyA at the printing line of the machine to provide an opening for the platen members. This portion is also blanked out towards the rear of the machine as shown in Fig. 6"for the side framesy and other operating parts of the machine. A band 24| which passes around the intermediate portion of the base of the machine between the portions 234 and 235 of the base is' inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise details described but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of spaced supporting frames, of a type assemblage including a shaft and a plurality of type members mounted thereon, a platen member movable into cooperative engagement with the type positioned at the printing line of the machine, said framesv having aligned L- shaped guideways disposed inwardly from one edge thereof, said type assemblage being assembled as a unit and the ends of said shaft being capable of being inserted in said guideways for mounting the assemblage in said supporting frames; and means for securing the ends of said shaft in the closed offset ends of said guideways and to prevent any displacement ofthe type line of said assemblage with respect to said printing line of the machine.

2. In a checkwriter, the combination with spaced supporting frames having vsubstantially L-shaped receiving throats formed therein, of a type assemblage including a shaft and a plurality of type members thereon, a platen member movable into cooperative engagement with the type positioned at the printing line of the machine, said shaft having reduced end portions adapted to be mounted in the closed ends of said receiving throats, said type assemblage being assembled as a unit and said shaft being adapted to be inserted rand position in said throats for mounting said assemblage in said supporting frames; means for securing the ends of said shaft in said throats, and means for adjusting said type members of the assemblage n said shaft to correct any misalignment of the type line thereof with the printing line of the machine.

3. ,In a checkwriter, the combination of a frame, of a plurality of selectively adjustable denominational printing type members, a vprinting type element adapted to be shifted from a position of rest to a position adjacent the denominational member of the highest order positioned at the printing line of the machine, a removable and shiftable carrier for said type element, a guide rod foi` said carrier extending across the face of said denominational type members, `said rod having one end fixed in said frame and its opposite end free, meansfor shifting said carrier on said rod, and auxiliary means for adjustably supporting said rod adjacentits xed end so as to vary the path of travel ofthe carrier on said rod.

4. In a checkwriting machine, the combination of a frame with an opening in one side, of a plurality of selectively adjustable denominational type members, a type element adapted to be shifted from a position of rest to a position adjacent the denominational member of the highest order positioned at the printing line of the machine, a removable and shiftable carrier for said type element having a lformed portion provided with a notch, a support ,for said carrierincluding a rod having one end fixed in said frame and its opposite end free, said free end of the rod extending through said side opening in the frame, auxiliary means for adjustably supporting said rod adjacent its xed end lto vvary the ,path of travel of said carrier on said rod, andV an actuating means for shifting said carrier, Vsaid actuating means including a flexible4 member nor-J mally engaging said notch in said'carrier but adapted to be sprung from said notch so as to release said carrier from said actuating means, whereby the carrier may be moved from the free end of said supporting rod` and withdrawn through said side opening of the frame.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a pair of spaced supporting frames having aligned offset guideways disposed inwardly from one edge thereof, of a type assemblage including a shaft and a plurality of type members mounted on said shaft, a platen member movable into cooperative engagement with the type of said assemblage positioned at theprinting line of the machine, said type assemblage comprising a unit and the ends of said shaft being adapted to be inserted and withdrawn from said guideways; each of said guideways having a portion disposed inwardly from the edge of the frame and positioned to one side of the perpendicular axis passing through the printing plane of the machine, said guideways having an offset closed end portion with substantially parallel side walls and being arranged to intersect at right angles the perpendicular axis passing through said printing plane, said shaft having reduced end portions for engagement with the parallel end portions of said guideways, the arrangement of guideways being such as to provide frame sections on the side of the shaft opposite that of the platen member so as to with- :tand the thrust resultant from the engagement of the platen with the type assemblage, and means for securing said shaft in the parallel end portions of said guideways of said frames.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with spaced side frames having an upper section and a lower section with a sheet re.- ceiving throat therebetween, of a type assemblage mounted in said upper frame section including a type shaft and a plurality of type members mounted thereon, a platen member mounted in said lower frame section for movement into cooperative engagement with the type of said assemblage positioned at the printing line of the machine, actuating means for moving said platen, said upper frame section having aligned openings disposed inwardly from the edge opposite that adjacent said base section, said type assemblage being arranged as a unit and the ends of said shaft being adapted to be inserted and withdrawn from said openings, said openings having an open end shaft receiving portion positioned to one side of a perpendicular axis passing through the printing line of the machine and an offset closed end portion intersecting said perpendicular axis, said shaft having reduced ends being adapted to be positioned between the walls of the offset portion of said openings, and means for securing the ends of said shaft'in the offset portions of said openings, the arrangement of said shaft receiving openings being such as to extend substantially in the direction of the thrust resultant from the movement of said platen into cooperative engagement with said type assemblage but having offset portions with side l walls transverse to the direction of the thrust to support said type shaft and withstand the platen thrust.

'7. In a checkwriting machine, the combination of spaced supporting frames having aligned slots disposed inwardly from one edge thereof, of a shaft having reduced end portions being adapted to engage said slots and be removably supported by said frames, of a printing couple including a type assemblage and a platen member adapted to be moved into cooperative engagement at the printing line of the machine, the type assemblage being supported on said shaft as a unit and removable therewith; said assemblage including a plurality of non-selective type members, a plurality of selective type members and centering mechanism for-said selective members, said selective membersl vbeing provided with centering notches spaced-@With relation to the type carried by the members, said centering mechanism including a yoke member mounted on said shaft and supporting a plurality of centering devices adapted to cooperate with the notches in said selective members. for'aligning the type faces po-f sitioned at the-'type line, and releasable.-means for adjustably" securing said ryoke member to said supporting frames and being Aadapted to permit of movement oigl'said centering yoke to correct any misalignment of the type line of said selective members with the printing line of the machine.

8. In a checkwriting machine, the combination of spaced supporting frames having aligned slots disposed inwardly from one edge thereof, of a shaft having reduced end portions removably supported in the slots of said frames, of a printing couple including a type assemblage and a v curing said yoke member platen member adapted to be moved into cooperative engagement at the printing line of the machine, said type assemblage being supported on said shaft as a unit and removable therewith, said assemblage including a pluralityof non-selective type members, a plurality ofv selective type members and centering mechanism for said selective members, said selective members being provided with centering notches spaced with relation to the type carried by the members, said centering mechanism including a yoke member mounted on said shaft and a plurality-of centering devices supportedvby-said voke, said centering devices being adapted to cooperate Withsaid notches to align the selective members with re-v spect to one another, means for adjustably seto said supporting frames and being adapted to permit of movement of said centering yoke about said shaft to correct any misalignment of said selective members with the printing line of the machine, and means for adjustably ysecuring said non-selective type member to said yoke memberand; being adapted to permit of movement of said non-selective members to correct any misaligmnent thereof with said selective type Amembers of the assemblage and the printing line of the machine. WALTER B. PAYNE. 

